Eagles’ Ja’Quinden Jackson injured on opening kickoff vs. Patriots, taken off in ambulance

In a scary scene at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Philadelphia Eagles running back Ja’Quinden Jackson lay motionless on the field following the opening kickoff against the New England Patriots. Medical personnel placed Jackson on a stretcher and took him away from the field in an ambulance. The Eagles announced shortly after that Jackson had strength and movement in all of his extremities and was being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

The injury occurred on the opening kickoff, with the Eagles kicking to the Patriots. Jackson was part of Philadelphia’s kickoff team and was credited with the tackle on Patriots return man Lan Larison. It appeared that Larison’s knee hit Jackson’s head as the latter attempted to make the tackle. Jackson appeared to have an immediate fencing response, extending both of his arms.

As Jackson was being tended to, the Eagles sideline emptied onto the field to surround the running back. He eventually exited the field to cheers from the Foxborough crowd.

Jackson signed with the Eagles less than two weeks ago, after he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2025, signing with the Jaguars following a collegiate career that included three stops.

He began his college career at the University of Texas in 2020, but did not appear in any games. He spent the next three seasons at Utah. After appearing in just three games in 2021, Jackson played in 12 games for the Utes in 2022 and 2023. He transferred to Arkansas for the 2024 season, where he tallied 149 rushes for 790 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns.